How are y'all feeling? Read the posts, just trying to check the vibe.

Solidarity from this [crashed the party but they let me stay] member of the internal CTA working grp.

You're the best!!

BEAAAAUTS!

LOLOLOL. Not me not even thinking about that. 😂 I was just excited to bring it back.

I'm pretty sure that's how I found YOU! So 14/10, worth it.

Nothing will refuel you on this front more than summer associates and younger associates who have followed your elevation--borrow their excitement when needed.

It's okay to feel overwhelmed. It's a new season! You will get your sea legs.

The excitement can be lost in the shuffle of the day-to-day demands and new goals. Stop to notice how much you have invested and how incredible it is to have made it to the "other" side!

Which can be disorienting! Everyone is cheering for you and so proud of you, some folks treat you like you won the lottery, and you're mostly barely above water trying to figure out random things like taxes and health insurance. Don't lose the magic of appreciating how much work it took to get here!

Stop to appreciate how far you've come: B/t the admin. changes, heavier work responsibilities + building your team, life being full outside of the office, it can be easy to only notice how much is on your plate and how "new" you are (again). It can be a surprisingly discouraging time.

So many people I spoke w/ about these changes had the same experiences (even laterals, folks who grew up in a diff. era of legal work, etc.). There is a natural dynamic shift as you leave the nest and build your own. Trust the process but find the right supports for this season.

Some relationships will change: Maybe it's a change in mentor, client teams b/c of $ constraints on a file, etc. Changes in r'ships w/ your teams and workflow can be disorienting. You can feel lost. It can be sad too. Embrace the change and the challenge and the feels.

Be okay w/ being a "newbie" again: I really struggled w/ this one. It's been yrs. since you've been the greenest person in a room. It's weird to feel "sr." but also new. Lean into it (just like we tell new assoc.), ask questions, find mentors who can guide you, & don't be scared to not know things.

Taxes & other glamorous things: Your taxes & related things likely changed (e.g., self-employment, etc.). Ask your team about their advisors (e.g., CPA who does most partners' taxes and is familiar with the firm's structure). This is particularly helpful as 1st gen. lawyer.

Buck stops with you but you're not alone: This isn't totally new (every sr. associate is doing this), but the external expectation will be that you are now in charge. Don't forget you are still developing your practice and have partners and colleagues for a reason--confer! Ask questions!

Administrative: You will have so much access to all sorts of information, much like any other business owner--billing, financials, long-term plans, etc. The volume can be SO overwhelming, take up any offers to make sense of these materials (firm trainings/meetings, mentors, etc.).

A TATTE??? Y'all hiring?

😭 😭 😭 😭

TL;DR is I made partner (trying to follow in your footsteps, so finally had to hop on here!) and have missed @ladylawyerdiary.bsky.social in my life.